Cessna 152 vs Cessna 172
The Cessna 152 (two-seat trainer, ~95 kt) and Cessna 172 Skyhawk (four-seat trainer/touring, ~115 kt) are different-class trainers — the 152 is primary; the 172 is the universal four-seat trainer.
Live Market Snapshot
Current asking-price market, aggregated across multiple marketplaces · refreshed daily
Cessna 152
- For sale now
- 59
- Median asking
- $70,000
- Range
- $45,545–$117,000
- Model years available
- 1977–1983
Cessna 172
- For sale now
- 421
- Median asking
- $134,231
- Range
- $61,563–$324,965
- Model years available
- 1956–2026
Live data from AeroGurus, aggregated daily across the used-aircraft market. Figures are current asking prices, not appraisals — confirm with a pre-buy inspection.
Generations Breakdown
Per-generation specs — engine/weight/performance differ materially across production eras.
Per-era “For sale” counts exclude listings with unspecified year and separate variants (RG retractable, Hawk XP), so they may not sum to the total above.
Cessna 152 — 0 generations
| Generation | Years | Engine | MTOW | Cruise | Range | For sale |
|---|
Cessna 172 — 3 generations
| Generation | Years | Engine | MTOW | Cruise | Range | For sale |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 172 Continental | 1956–1967 | O-300 | 2300 | 118 | 520 | 140 |
| 172 O-320 150hp | 1968–1976 | O-320-E2D | 2300 | 120 | 585 | 129 |
| 172 O-320 160hp | 1977–1986 | O-320-H2AD/D2J | 2400 | 122 | 585 | 104 |
Safety Record
Absolute counts scale with fleet size — the most-produced types log more events without being less safe. Compare the % fatal.
| NTSB (1982–now) | Cessna 152 | Cessna 172 |
|---|---|---|
| All events | 2435 | 6810 |
| Serious | 130 | 542 |
| Fatal | 255 | 960 |
| Fatalities | 386 | 1802 |
| % Fatal | 10% | 14% |
Full Specs Comparison
Swipe to see all specs
| Spec / Model | Cessna 152 | Cessna 172 |
|---|---|---|
|
|
|
| Price Range | $45,545 – $117,000 | $61,563 – $324,965 |
| Category | Single Engine Piston | Single Engine Piston |
| Model Specifications | ||
| Seats | 2 | 4 |
| Horsepower | 110 HP | 145–160 HP |
| Cruise Speed | 100 kts (185 km/h) | 118–122 kts (226 km/h) |
| Range | 415 nm (769 km) | 520–585 nm (1,083 km) |
| Service Ceiling | 14,700 ft (4,481 m) | 14,000 ft (4,267 m) |
| Max Gross Weight | 1,670 lbs (758 kg) | 2300–2,400 lbs (1,089 kg) |
| Useful Load | 528 lbs (240 kg) | 878 lbs (398 kg) |
| Fuel Capacity | 26.0 gal (98 L) | 56.0 gal (212 L) |
| Fuel Burn | 6.1 GPH (23 L/h) | 8.6 GPH (33 L/h) |
| TBO | 2,400 hrs | 1,400 hrs |
| Overhaul Cost | $22,000 | $30,000 |
| Annual Fixed | $15,000 | $18,000 |
| Hourly Variable | $100 | $130 |
| Engines | 1 x Piston | 1 x Piston |
Cost of Ownership
EstimateCessna 152
Fuel$34/hr
Variable$100/hr
Annual Fixed$15,000/yr
Total (200 hrs/yr)
$35,000/yr
Cessna 172
Fuel$47/hr
Variable$130/hr
Annual Fixed$18,000/yr
Total (200 hrs/yr)
$44,000/yr
Which Should You Buy: Cessna 152 or Cessna 172?
Bottom line: Choose the 152 for primary two-seat training at the lowest operating cost. Step up to the 172 for real four-seat training/touring capability and the largest support network in aviation.
Pick the 152 if…
- Budget matters — from $45,545 vs $61,563, you save ~$16,018.
- Lower operating cost — ~$100/hr vs $130/hr.
- Newer design — production from 1977 vs 1956.
Pick the 172 if…
- More seats — 4 vs 2.
- Faster cruise — 118 kts vs 100 kts.
- Longer range — 518 nm vs 415 nm.
- More inventory — 166 listings vs 60.
Auto-generated from current market data and published specs. Confirm with a pre-buy inspection and professional appraisal.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the key difference across the Cessna 152, 172, and 182?
Seats and useful load. The 152 is a two-seat trainer — Lycoming O-235, lowest cost, for training and basic flying. The 172 Skyhawk is the step to four seats — Lycoming O-320 (or the fuel-injected IO-360 on modern variants), the most popular general-aviation aircraft ever built. The 182 Skylane is the four-seat step-up — more power, more useful load, more speed. Each step adds capability and operating cost.
152, 172, or 182 — which is right for me?
Buy the 152 if primary training only, or two-seat ownership on the lowest possible budget — the O-235 is economical and the 152 is the standard trainer. Buy the 172 if four seats are needed — family flying, touring, IFR training, and practical personal transport. Buy the 182 if you consistently load four adults with baggage and the 172's useful load is insufficient, or if additional speed and load make a practical difference. Most owners who buy a 172 and fly with families eventually realise the 182 is the correct aircraft.
Why does the 172 fall short compared to the 182?
Four adults plus fuel often exceed the 172's useful load — it is a genuinely weight-limited aircraft with real passengers. The 182's useful load is roughly 200-plus lb more, handles real four-person loads comfortably, and cruises roughly 25 kt faster. On trips over 300 nm with actual passengers and bags, the 182 is the more practical aircraft.
What does the 172 do better than the 152?
Four seats and the genuine ability to carry a pilot plus two passengers and bags — a 152 limits you to one passenger with minimal baggage. The 172 also has a more powerful engine (O-320 versus O-235), better climb, and more cross-country capability. The 152 is a pure training aircraft; the 172 is a four-seat practical aircraft.
How do specs compare?
152: Lycoming O-235-L2C (110 hp), two seats, ~107 kt. 172N: Lycoming O-320 (160 hp), four seats, ~115 kt. 182T: Lycoming IO-540-AB1A5 (230 hp), four seats, ~140 kt.
Which is cheapest to operate?
The 152 has the lowest operating cost — smallest engine, lowest fuel burn, lowest overhaul cost. The 172 costs more; the 182 costs more still. For training, the 152 is the most economical platform; for practical personal flying the 172 and 182 earn their higher costs through capability.
Which should I buy?
152 if training only and two seats are sufficient. 172 if four seats and practical personal flying are the goal on a reasonable budget. 182 if you consistently need real four-person loads with baggage and want to avoid weight-limiting your trips. The 172 is the correct choice for most first-time buyers; experienced owners with real passengers often find the 182 is what they actually needed.
Which is better, Cessna 152 or Cessna 172?
It depends on your mission and budget.
The 152 cruises at 100 kts with 415 nm range.
The 172 cruises at 118 kts with 518 nm range.
Review the specs table above to find which fits your flying profile.
How do prices compare?
Cessna 152: from $89,000.
Cessna 172: from $119,900.
Prices vary by year, hours, avionics, and condition. Always get a pre-buy inspection.
What's the difference between Cessna 152 and Cessna 172?
152 engine: LYCOMING O-235 (110 hp).
172 engine: LYCOMING (180 hp).
Seats: 2 vs 4.
Cruise: 100 vs 118 kts.
Range: 415 vs 518 nm.
Which is cheaper to operate per hour?
152: about $100/hr variable cost.
172: about $130/hr variable cost.
Variable cost includes fuel, reserves and overhaul accruals. Annual fixed costs (hangar, insurance, annual inspection) add to the total.
Which has more seats and useful load?
152: 2 seats / 528 lb useful load.
172: 4 seats / 878 lb useful load.
Useful load = max gross weight minus empty weight; it determines how much fuel plus payload you can carry.
How does maintenance compare — TBO and overhaul cost?
152: 2,400-hour TBO, overhaul ~$22,000.
172: 1,400-hour TBO, overhaul ~$30,000.
Reaching the time-between-overhaul (TBO) triggers a mandatory engine/airframe rebuild that affects resale value.
Disclaimer: All prices and cost estimates are from third-party sources for informational purposes only. Always obtain professional appraisal and inspection before purchase.
Prices updated daily · Data: FAA Registry, NTSB · About our data